Important Dates
Scientific Assembly:
April 6-10, 2025
Speaking Proposals
Speaking proposals are now open through Monday, July 15 at 10:59pm CT. View the Guide to Speaking Proposals on this page and, when you are ready, submit your proposal below.
Submit a ProposalWhen submitting a speaking proposal, you will be asked to provide:
- The session type and up to two topic categories (e.g., cardiology, infectious disease, toxicology)
- Session description (maximum 300 words)
- How have you demonstrated content expertise in this topic? For example, research, manuscripts, fellowship training, previous speaking, or teaching in this topic area (maximum 300 words)
- Learning objectives (minimum of two) (maximum 30 words)
- Presenter name(s), faculty listing, demographic information, and speaking experience
When reviewing proposals, the SA Planning Work Group will first conduct a blind review. Proposals are scored based on three criteria: relevance to emergency medicine, clarity of learning objectives, and innovative topic. The presenters’ names and speaking experience will not be visible to the reviewers.
Proposals are then un-blinded and ranked in order according to the sum of their scores. After considering the scores, individual reviewer recommendations, comments from group discussion, and balance of topics presented, the SA Planning Work Group will nominate the best-reviewed educational proposals for each session type (track session, Breve Dulce, etc.) for the scientific program.
Learn more about the criteria and tips for writing a great proposal below.
Topics
Relevance to emergency medicine and Innovative topic are two criteria that the planning work group will consider when reviewing proposals. Our conference covers various topics within emergency medicine. When you submit a proposal, you have the option to select up to one primary topic and one secondary topic such as cardiology, critical care, infectious disease, toxicology, and many more. The planning work group strives for a balance of topics. MOC topics like stroke, risk management, and opioids are always a plus.
Scientific Assembly focuses on cutting edge clinical medicine as well as practical application to patient care. Our audience are practicing emergency physicians.
- Innovative and likely to stimulate interest
- Relevant to the practicing emergency physician
- Applicable to academic and community physicians
- Applicable to a national audience
- Niche topic, like those that require very specific training or practice setting
- General medical education at the resident level (except for quick refreshers on uncommon procedures or diagnoses, or lectures in the AAEM/RSA Track)
- Region-specific topics
- Narrow audience, e.g., academics, program directors, or ED administrators
Session Description
A great session description will be:
- Informative – lays out clearly what the audience can expect
- Intriguing – leaves us wanting to learn more
This session will show a practical and evidence-based approach to pain management and procedural sedation in a challenging and often under-treated group: pregnant patients. The session will start with a case illustrating common pitfalls, then walk through several approaches to treatment that are evidence based and easily applied both in community EDs and tertiary care centers. (from ‘Preggo Pain Control’ by Dr. Malia Moore at AAEM22)
This description begins with an overview of what the session will cover, and then breaks it down into greater detail.
They beep; they bark; they sigh; but what does it all mean, and can’t it just wait until the intensivist takes over? NO! Dive into ventilator alarms and how to address them. Why does the ventilator only point out high peak pressures and when can you ignore them? Why does the minute ventilation sometimes alarm as low but the tidal volume never does? Why is my respiratory rate higher than what I set? These questions and more will be addressed with a practical if/then approach. (from ‘Vent Alarms 101’ by Dr. Andrew Phillips at AAEM22)
The description begins with an entertaining hook and lists specific questions that the learner will want to find answers to.
Example of a weak description:
This session will provide an overview of several topics integral to risk management and patient safety.
This description is too vague. It does not include information about the specific topics in the session. It doesn’t intrigue the reader, nor does it explain why the topic is important or helpful.
Learning Objectives
A learning objective is a brief, clear, and specific statement of what learners will be able to do at the end of the session. Each proposal requires at least two learning objectives. Learning objectives should include measurable verbs (action verbs) explaining how the learner will demonstrate what they learned (e.g. perform, implement, diagnose, list, identify.) A learning objective completes the sentence: After this session, the learner will be able to…
- Utilize targeted, locally effective techniques to treat pain such as nerve blocks
- Describe common tracheostomy malfunctions including obstruction, decannulation and partial displacement
- Summarize the guiding principles of caring for a sexually assaulted patient
- Know when to use a linear probe
- Learn to treat pain
- Appreciate the role of TTM for ROSC
Session Types
Scientific Assembly features several session types to accommodate different learning styles and preferences. The planning work group may determine that your proposed topic is better suited for a different session type than the one you proposed.
(18 minutes speaking time followed by 2 minutes Q&A) A didactic presentation style to share topics related to emergency medicine. The most common type of session at Scientific Assembly.
(7 minutes plus 3 minutes Q&A and transition to next speaker) A “short and sweet” presentation of an emergency medicine related topic within 20 slides. A Breve Dulce talk is best suited for very specific topics or drilling down to one specific aspect of a broader topic.
(40 minutes speaking time followed by 5 minutes Q&A) The plenary session is topic focused, often highlighting what’s new or literature updates in a specific field related to emergency medicine. There are no other educational sessions held at the same time as a plenary session. Plenary sessions require content expertise and a seasoned speaker.
(30 minutes discussion followed by 10 minutes audience Q&A) A moderated discussion featuring two or three panelists and a panel moderator. Discussions on recent literature or a controversial topic work best for this format.
(18 minutes speaking time followed by 2 minutes Q&A) A didactic presentation on a topic that prepares residents for their careers in emergency medicine. The focus of the AAEM/RSA Track varies year to year, but usually includes clinical topics, career preparation, and ‘the missing curriculum’: the crucial knowledge not taught in residency programs. Proposals from residents are welcome.
(45 minutes) An interactive workshop that offers hands-on practice for skills or procedures. Five groups of six participants learning the content simultaneously (no audiovisuals, slides, group rotations or presentations). The Workshop Leader will recruit five facilitators (leader may be one of them) and identify sponsors.
(Full day or half day) Formerly known as pre- and post-conference courses. An opportunity to provide hands-on, interactive learning and development opportunities that are directly managed by AAEM or organized in agreement with a partner group. Times and course fees will be determined by AAEM with partner group. Course must be self-sustaining, and director(s) are responsible for recruiting their own faculty and identifying sponsors.
Presenting Faculty Information
Each presenter in the proposal will be asked to provide:
- Current position, designation, and demographic information (for statistical purposes only)
- Experience speaking at other educational conferences (if applicable)
- Fellowships completed and practice setting
CVs are not accepted. Multiple presenters are acceptable, but travel stipends may be split amongst faculty, depending on the session type.
Proposal Review Criteria
The SA Planning Work Group will score proposals based on the below criteria in a blind review process:
2 = Topic is highly relevant to emergency medicine
1 = Topic is relevant to emergency medicine and of modest importance
0 = Topic is not at all relevant to emergency medicine and area has limited importance
2 = Well thought out learning objectives
1 = Learning objectives are comprehensible but need improvement
0 = Unclear learning objectives
2 = Very likely to stimulate interest
1 = Moderately likely to stimulate interest
0 = Not likely to stimulate interest